The MBA recently launched a new Department of Bar Services with the primary goal of cultivating relationships with local and specialty bars around the state. MBA staff is in the process of developing a variety of projects and services intended to support the efforts of these affiliated bars while strengthening relations among all of the groups.
The new department is being managed by Bar Services Liaison Jill Coody Smits, who recently joined the MBA after serving as Communications Director for the Travis County Bar Association in Austin, Texas.
Affiliated associations play a vital and irreplaceable role for the specific populations and communities they serve. There are 27 such associations with representatives on the MBA House of Delegates (see list below) and MBA President Richard C. Van Nostrand believes the time is right to establish a formal network among the groups.
MBA Bar Services' first big event will be a Bar Leadership Institute, to be held on Oct. 31 at the Warren Conference Center in Ashland from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The institute will provide affiliated bar leaders the opportunity to meet and network with each other while sharing ideas and information to help guide their associations successfully. Presidents, presidents-elect and executive directors are invited to attend the event for free, and other board members may attend for a fee of $125 per person. Confirmed speakers include SJC Chief Justice Margaret Marshall and MBA Past President Michael Greco.
In addition to the annual institute, the Bar Services department will provide a broad range of benefits and support services, including:
• A monthly e-newsletter with useful info for local bar leaders.
• A network for local leaders to communicate with each other.
• Administrative and staff support for affiliated bars, upon request. Services may include meeting support, meeting space, newsletters, media relations, printing and mailing and clerical assistance.
Affiliated bar members also are encouraged to submit information about upcoming events or about individual bar members who deserve special recognition for their activities for spotlight in Lawyers Journal, on the Bar Services Web site and in the online Mass.Law Calendar.
Affiliated bars of Massachusetts
The following bar associations have member representatives on the MBA House of Delegates, unless indicated by an asterisk.
• American Immigration Lawyers Association
• Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts
• Bar Association of Norfolk County
• Barnstable County Bar Association
• Berkshire County Bar
• Boston Bar Association
• Bristol County Bar Association
• City Solicitors/Town Counsel Bar
• Dukes County Bar
• Essex County Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association
• Franklin County Bar Association
• Hampden County Bar Association
• Hampshire County Bar Association
• Justinian Law Society **
• Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys
• Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys
• Massachusetts Association of Women Lawyers
• Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association
• Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys **
• Massachusetts Conveyancers Association
• Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association
• Massachusetts Lesbian & Gay Bar Association
• Middlesex County Bar Association
• Nantucket County Bar
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
• Plymouth County Bar
• Women's Bar Association
• Worcester County Bar Association